Sunda Laughingthrush

Breathtakingly majestic inhabitant of high and remote mountain ranges, where they build large nests on cliff ledges or in caves. Even as a distant speck, this is an unmistakable raptor, with an almost albatross-like wing shape and span, coupled with a long diamond-shaped tail. Adults are orange-rust below with a dark underwing, and slate gray above. The young are gray with a dark head. Cruises along ridgetops on flat wings, sometimes arched downwards.

A large flycatcher of tropical and subtropical forests. Male is bright blue above with a black face and orange breast and belly which becomes paler toward the vent. Rufous-bellied Niltava is extremely similar but has a bright patch on the shoulder and brighter orange underparts are uniform in intensity down to the vent. Vivid Niltava can also be similar but has an orange throat and is darker blue above. The mostly brown female is difficult to identify, but it is cooler and grayer overall compared to female Rufous-bellied. Female Fujian has a small bright white collar that is lacking in female Vivid. Gives a very high metallic “tsiiing”, as well as hard “chik” and “chek” notes.

An elegant, rather small lapwing. Pale sandy-brown overall with long, bright yellow legs. In flight, a striking tri-colored wing pattern of brown, black, and white is exposed. Somewhat similar to Sociable Lapwing, but note all-white, instead of black-tipped, tail. Often seen in heavily vegetated wetlands.